Autonomous
/ɔːˈtɑːnəməs/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Autonomous describes something or someone that works or acts independently. It can mean a person, group, machine, or system that does not need outside control or help to function or decide what to do.
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See It in Action
Able to act or make decisions independently
- •The autonomous robot can clean the house without human help.
- •Many people want to live autonomous lives where they make their own choices.
- •The autonomous region has its own government separate from the country.
Self-governing or self-ruling (used for groups or places)
- •The autonomous community manages its own schools and laws.
- •Some countries have autonomous provinces with special rights.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "autonomous" like "independent" (A2 word), but stronger—completely able to do things on its own without needing help
- ✓Picture a robot or car that drives itself without a person controlling it
- ✓It's the feeling of being free to choose what you want to do without anyone telling you what to do
- ✓Sounds like "auto-NOM-us" → imagine a car ("auto") that can "nom" (eat) decisions by itself, meaning it takes care of itself automatically
- ✓Think of a country that governs itself without another country controlling it
- ✓NOT like "dependent" (needs help or support), autonomous means no outside help is needed
- ✓NOT like "controlled" (someone else decides), autonomous means self-control and self-decision
- ✓NOT like "automatic" (works by machine rules), autonomous means it can decide on its own, not just follow fixed rules
Try Other Words
- •Self-governing: able to make own rules and decisions (Use when talking about places or groups that rule themselves)
- •Independent: able to do things without help (Use for people or things that do not need support)
- •Self-sufficient: able to provide for oneself without help (Use when focusing on providing needs, like food or energy)
- •Sovereign: having full power or authority (Use mostly for countries or states with complete control)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "auto-" (self) + "nom" (law, rule) + "-ous" (adjective ending) → meaning "self-rule" or "self-law"
- •Etymology: From Greek "autonomos," meaning having one's own laws or rules
- •Historical development: Originally used to describe cities or states that govern themselves without outside control
- •Modern usage: Used for people, machines, regions, or systems that act or make decisions by themselves without outside help
Reflect & Connect
•Can a person be fully autonomous in all parts of life? Why or why not?
•How might autonomous machines change the way we live and work in the future?
Fill in the blanks
1.An autonomous vehicle can ___ itself without a driver’s help on the road.
2.When a region is autonomous, it has ___ to make its own laws and rules.
3.Autonomous people usually want ___ to make their own choices in life.
4.Unlike a remote-controlled toy, an autonomous robot does not need ___ to work.
5.The company developed an autonomous system that can ___ problems without human help.
6.Some countries have autonomous areas because they want ___ from the central government.
7.Autonomous machines often use sensors and computers to ___ their environment and act accordingly.